Ice cube dispenser with hopper shaped and heated to inhibit bridging

ABSTRACT

The invention discloses an ice cube vending machine which supports an ice cube making machine thereon which discharges the ice cubes it manufactures downwardly into a hopper tapered first to spread the cubes to minimize abutting cubes bridging or freezing together, the hopper then being oppositely tapered to deliver the cubes centrally into a helix conveyor chamber therebelow from which they may be delivered by metered delivery to drop downwardly into a front opening chamber into which a receptacle has been inserted to receive them. The lower part of the hopper is provided with heated radiator fins which radiate heat through to the ice cubes thereabove, further to inhibit the tendency of the converging ice cubes to freeze or &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;bridge&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; together.

United States Patent [72] inventor Marlon H. Wlnaett c/o N. F. Abramowltz, 2020 Richmond, Houston, Tex. 77006 [21 Appl. No. 28,579 [22] Filed Apr. 15, 1970 [45] Patented Nov. 9, 1971 54] [CE CUBE DISPENSER WITH HOPPER SHAPED AND HEATED T0 INHIBIT BRIDGING 10 Claims, 7 Drawing Figs. [52] 194/10, 221/96, 221/150 HC [51] Int. Cl G07f 11/00 [50] Fleldofsearch 194/10, 13; 222/410; 221/150 HC, 96, 203, 277

[56] Referenca Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,986,897 6/1961 Howard 221/96 X 1-. I a t ,t if: It, oSb- 4%:

3,119,518 1/1964 Eschenburg et al.

Primary Examiner-Stanley H Tollberg AttorneyWilliam E Ford ABSTRACT: The invention discloses an ice cube vending machine which supports an ice cube making machine thereon which discharges the ice cubes it manufactures downwardly mto a hopper tapered first to spread the cubes to minimize abutting cubes bridging or freezing together, the hopper then being oppositely tapered to deliver the cubes centrally into a helix conveyor chamber therebelow from which they may be delivered by metered delivery to drop downwardly into a front opening chamber into which a receptacle has been inserted to receive them. The lower part of the hopper is provided with heated radiator fins which radiate heat through to the ice cubes thereabove. further to inhibit the tendency of the converging ice cubes to freeze or bridge together.

PATENTEDNUV 9 I97! 3,618,733

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3 INVENTOR MARION H. WIN

TTORNEY PATENTEUNUV 9 l97| SHEET 2 [IF 2 FIG. 4

56a. HELIX DRIVE BLOWER 50 UVL FIN H EATERS FIG. 6

FIG. 7

INVENTOR MARION H. WINSETT ATTORNEY ICE CUBE DISPENSER WITH HOPPER SHAPED AND HEATED T INHIBIT BRIDGING The invention comprises an improved ice cube vending machine with skillful distribution of structure and apparatus whereby the cubes from an ice cube making machine, descend by gravity to conveyor and thence drop into receptacle, while the ice cubes are inhibited throughout against bridging together.

As a primary object, the invention sets out to provide an ice cube vending machine of this class, with gravity descend of cubes from ice cube making machine through hopper to conveyor, and with gravity drop of ice cubes from front end of conveyor into vendees receptacle; means being provided to inhibit the bridging" together of the ice cubes.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an ice cube vending machine of this class with a special hopper, upper section tapered outwardly to spread descending ice cubes, lower section heated to inhibit bridging together of downwardly converging ice cubes.

It is also an additional object of the invention to provide an ice cube vending machine of this class equipped as a coin operated machine to vend a metered or measured amount of ice cubes per predetermined coin deposit.

It is yet a further object of the invention to provide an ice cube vending machine of this class, that is also coin operated to vend a receptacle in which purchased ice may be carried away.

As additional and further objects, the machine is provided with advantageous accessories, as an ultraviolet ray sterilizer at delivery chute, as thermostat operation blockage of coin deposit in cases where the ice cubes may have been receiving too much heat against bridging together.

Other and further objects will be apparent when the specification is considered in connection with the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of front, right side, and top of an ice cube vending machine comprising an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a transverse sectional elevational view, taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1, looking forwardly;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional elevational view, taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 1, looking to the right;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view of apparatus and circuitry for coin-operated helix drive, hot air blower, ultraviolet light, and coin-operated bag feed;

FIG. 5 is an' enlarged, fragmentary, longitudinal sectional elevational view, showing elements shown in FIG. 3 to larger scale;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary, longitudinal sectional elevational view, partially diagrammatic, looking to the right, and showing details of bag delivery through the horizontally extending slot seen spaced below the panel in the left front of the machine shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the ice cube delivery spout indicated to smaller scale in FIG. 3, and in part in enlarged cross-sectional elevation detail in FIG. 5.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, in which like reference numerals are applied to like elements in the various views, an ice cube vending machine 10 is shown in FIG. 1 with a chassis or cabinet 11 on legs 12 supporting a conventional ice cube making machine 13 above the top rear thereof. In this view the front 14 of the chassis 11 is shown as having upper right and left sections 14a, 14b, with the upper right section 140 having an instrumentation or operative access panel 15 therein, and therebelow a bag storage access section 140 with a bag delivery slot 16 therein. The central area of the front 14 has a hopper access panel 14c removably installed therein, with a front central section l4f extending across between the aforesaid right and left sections 14a, 14b.

Below the section 14f may be seen the ice cube delivery recess or space 17 with a base or bottom 17a defining the lower extent of the space and on which an ice cube receptacle rests as it is filled. A flexible delivery spout 19, as of sheet plastic or rubber, extends downwardly into the discharge or delivery space 17, for directing the discharging ice cubes into receptacle. The chassis front 14 is indicated in FIG. 1 as including a left central section 14d, opposite the right central or bag storage access section 140, and a lower section 143. The chassis 11, in FIG. I, is indicated as including a rectangular, substantially uninterrupted or continuously extending right side panel 18a, with the left side panel, not shown in FIG. I, being in correspondence therewith. Also, in FIG. 1, the ice cube making machine 13 is indicated as having an air louver 13a opening thereinto, and the discharge space bottom plate 17a is indicated as having a drain 17c centrally therein.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, as considered with relation to FIG. 1, hereinabove described, the chassis top 20, which supports the ice cube making machine 13, is indicated as having a discharge cylinder or spout 13b directed centrally downward therethrough into a'hopper 21, which is disposed centrally within the upper rear portion of the chassis II, with the rear panel 22 of the chassis 11 being spaced from the rear or backplate or wall 210 of the hopper 21 by insulating material 23. The upper sides 21a, 21b, of the hopper 21 are tapered to extend downwardly and outwardly from the chassis top 20, and in some degree of spaced relationship from the insulating material 23 within the chassis side panels 18a, 18b, the insulation also being provided around the hopper 21 under the chassis top 20.

The lower portion of the hopper 21 includes downwardly and inwardly converging sideplates 21e, 21f, which extend from upper junction lines with the respective upper sideplates 21a, 21b, to the top edges of respective conveyor trough sideplates 21g, 211:. Such converging sideplates 21e, 21f, have longitudinally spaced-apart radiation fins 24 connected to the under sides thereof, as indicated in FIG. 3, with heating elements 25 being shown on the fins, as will be hereinbelow described. The hopper 21 is completed as a space enclosing unit by the conveyor bottom plate 21], conveyor front plate 21k, conveyor forward end top closure and motor baseplate 211, and upper hopper front closure plate 21d, each best seen in FIG. 3.

The chassis or cabinet 11 is divided into an upper central compartment and lower central compartment by a horizontally extending division plate 26, with a vertically extending, lower central division plate 17b defining the rear extent of the receptacle space or chamber 17; the rear side of the division plate or wall 17b being insulated by insulation material 23, as is the under side of the division plate 26. Also, the inner side of the lower front panel 14g has insulative material 23 thereon, and the upper face of the chassis bottom plate 27, around the bottom drain 27a, has insulative material 23 thereon.

In the hereinabove description, considering insulation material may or may not be installed on the enclosed sides of the delivery or discharge chamber right and left side panels 17c, 17d, it can still be seen that the horizontally extending division plate 26 divides the chassis or cabinet 11 into upper and lower, substantially insulated compartments, with the discharge or delivery chamber 17 also being substantially insulated. In this regard it may be noted that the limited space defining the upper limits of the chamber 17, below the forward end portion of the division plate 26, and surrounding the discharge ring 21m, is not shown insulated. This space may be left uninsulated for reasons of expedience, but, if preferred cut out insulation strips may be fitted to insulate this area.

The ice cube making machine 13 can make ice cubes at rates to supply through the ice cube vending machine 10 the demand placed upon it by the trade. Normally, the ice cubes stand within the hopper 21 from some level just above the trough 28 up to a level near the top of the hopper 21. Conventional automatically operable or manually actuated means keeps the ice cube level above that of the top of the conveyor from tending to over fill the hopper 21.

A customer drops a coin of that predetermined denomination, corresponding with the sales price of a batch of ice cubes, into the slot 15a of the instrumentation panel 15, to start a drive motor 30 shown mounted in FIGS. 3 and 5 on the motor baseplate 2! I across the top of the forward end of the trough 28. The motor 30 has a drive pulley 29a mounted on its shaft 30a, and connected through a drive belt 31 to transmit drive to a driven pulley 29b mounted on the input shaft 320 of a reduction gear transmission or unit 32, that is mounted in a pocket 33 therefor above the trough bottom plate 2lj and between the trough front plate 21k and the insulation material 23 on the inner face of the chassis front central section 14f.

The drive delivery end 32a of the transmission unit 32 has the forward end of the shaft 34a journaled therein, the helix 34b of the conveyor drive 34 within the trough 28 being in turn mounted upon this helix drive shaft 34a. At its rear end the shaft 34a is indicated in FIGS. 3 and as being journaled in a suitable bearing or pillow block 34b which extends forwardly from the rear hopper plate 210. As driven by the transmission unit 32, the helix 34b transfers ice cubes forwardly to fall, at the forward end of the trough bottom 21j, through the discharge ring 21m and spout 19 into a suitable receptacle insertable under and around such spout 19. As shown in FIG. 5, an ultraviolet light 35 is installed within the discharge ring 21m, with conductors 35a, 35b extending from the ultraviolet light connection box 35c, as will be hereinbelow described. Below the ultraviolet light 35 the upper portion of the flexible discharge spout I9 is connected about the lower end portion of the discharge ring 21m by a connection ring 2ln, indicated at least partially diagrammatically in FIG. 5. As shown in isometric view in FIG. 7, the flexible, stretchable discharge spout 19 comprises a round or cylindrical upper portion 190, and a downwardly converging lower or lip portion 1912, which is extended or opened by the passage of the ice cubes therethrough, to resume contracted or closed lip position thereafter.

As indicated partially diagrammatically in FIGS. 2 and 6, a series of bags 36 of predetermined dimensions, and capacity when opened, are shown stacked in a vertical stack on a plunger plate 370 of a plunger 37, the rod 37b of the plunger 37 extending centrally below the plunger plate 37a, through a compression spring 38 which seats on the bottom of a spring housing 39 through which the plunger rod 37b also extends downwardly. The spring housing 39 in turn forms the lower, central portion of the bottom closure plate 40c of a bag feed compartment 40, having a right sideplate 40a against the insulative material 23 within the right side panel or plate 18a of the cabinet or chassis ll. Oppositely a left sideplate 40b is indicated as defining the rear portion of the bag feed compartment 40 to the rear of the aforesaid discharge chamber right side panel 17c.

The purchaser of a bag or receptacle 36 drops a coin of predetermined denomination, corresponding with the sales price of a bag 38, into the slot b of the instrumentation panel 15, and the dropping of the coin closes circuit, as will be hereinbelow described, to energize a solenoid 41, FIG. 6. The housing 410 of the solenoid 41 is mounted on a plate or bracket 42, that extends from the bag compartment right wall or sideplate 40a. Rearward movement of the energized solenoid arm 41b draws with it a transversely directed pin 43a which extends into a slot 41c in the aforesaid solenoid arm 41b. The pin 430 extends perpendicularly from the short arm 43b of a pivot lever 43 having its pivot hub 43c mounted on a pivot pin 44a supported on a bracket 46 that is mounted on the inner face of the bag storage access section 140 of the chassis front 14. The long arm 43d of the pivot lever 43 extends from the pivot hub 43: oppositely of, and in coextension of the short arm 43b and carries a bag base contacting finger plate 44 with axle 44a extending from the plate 44 sidewardly and in direction transversely across the chassis 11, such axle 44a being indicated in FIG. 6 as journaled in a pivot hub 430 at the lower end of the long arm 43d of the pivot lever 43. A tension spring 45 is shown in FIG. 6 as having its lower end connected to the upper, rearward edge of the finger plate 44, with the upper end of the tension spring 45 being connected to the long arm 43d of the pivot lever 43 at a distance above the pivot hub 430. As the tension spring 45 continuously endeavors to contract, it constantly urges the forward end of the contacting finger plate 44 downwardly, (counterclockwise in FIG. 6). Thus, there is a constantly applied force counteracting the upwardly lifting force of the compression spring 38, with the pivot lever long arm 43d being of predetermined length to serve, with the finger plate 44 and tension spring 45, as a constantly effective stop mechanism holding the uppermost bag 36 at a level for delivery through the delivery slot 16 in the right central front section 140.

As the energized solenoid armature or arm 41b moves to the right or in straight line travel into the solenoid housing in FIG. 6, the pin 43a across the head of the lever arm 43b moves upwardly in the slot 41c, and then downwardly to dotted line position shown to the right, indicative of the end of energized travel. As this occurs the finger plate 44 is urged to the left and against the overfolded and sewed bag fold 36a, and as further urged, the finger plate 44 forces the leading or bottom portion 36a of the uppermost bag 36 over the guide shoulder 16a on the inner face of the right front section 14c and outwardly, and as thus picked" the uppermost bag 36 is given enough momentum to begin sliding outwardly through the bag slot 16. This displacement of the uppermost bag 36 to the left (FIG. 6) is such that the lead part draws the following part thereafter, the bag thus sliding downwardly and outwardly over the guide shoulder 16a in outward discharge. Noticeable a guard strip 47 is shown provided on the right front section 14c to extend horizontally above the bag slot 16. Electrical conductors 48a, 4811, are shown diagrammatically in FIG. 6 for connection to opposite ends of the solenoid winding.

As shown in FIG. 2, a hot air blower 50 is provided to seat upon the division plate 26 on the left side of the hopper 21 and substantially centrally, longitudinally thereof to pick up the ambient air from the space surrounding the hopper 21 and circulate it through a discharge duct 49 out a left side discharge duct 49a, and under the trough bottom 2lj, (FIGS. 2 and 3), and upwardly through right side discharge duct 4%. The circulated air is thus directed over the fins 24 on either side of the hopper, and the fin-heating elements 25 respectively thereon, to pass upwardly about the hopper upper right and left sideplates 21a, 21b, and thence downwardly along the respective insulative material sheets 23 to be picked up by the blower 50 and recirculated. A thermostat, not shown, but conveniently located within ambient air space immediately surrounding the hopper 21, will be hereinbelow described in consideration of FIG. 4.

Referring now to FIG. 4, it may be seen how the apparatus required in the operation of the ice cube vending machine may be supplied current through a number of parallel circuits. Thus the heating elements 24 indicated collectively by a single resistance termed FIN HEATERS may be in a circuit 51 having a normally closed, thermostat opened switch 51a therein. The ultraviolet light 35 including its connection box 35c, FIG. 5, is indicated collectively by symbol UVL, with positive side conductor 35a thereto, and negative side conductor 35b therefrom, to together comprising the circuit 52.

Also, the solenoid 41, FIG. 6, including the assembled elements thereof, is indicated collectively by designation BAG FEED SOL, with positive side conductor 48a thereto, and negative side conductor 48b therefrom, together comprising the circuit 53; the normally open switch 53a, closed by deposit of bag feed purchase coin 57b in slot 1512, also being included therein. And the hot air blower 50, indicated collectively with its motor as BLOWER M, with positive side conductor 50a and negative side conductor 50b, is shown in FIG. 4 as comprised in a circuit 53, which also includes a thermostat operated, normally closed switch 54a in the conductor 50b. Additionally, the motor 30, FIGS. 3 and 5, for the helix drive or conveyor, is indicated in FIG. 4 as HELIX DRIVE M, with positive side conductor 30b, and negative side conductor 30c, together being shown as comprising the circuit 55, which also includes the normally open, time-delay relay operated switch 55a therein, such switch being closed upon actuation following ice cube purchase coin deposit to remain closed for a predetermined period of ice cube delivery, then to be timed out or opened by conventional time-delay relay switch operation.

Thus in cooperation with the circuit 55, and in parallel therewith, there must be included a circuit 56 including the time delay relay 560, as indicated diagrammatically as included in the panel box 60, FIG. 3, such time delay relay 56a being indicated in FIG. 4 by designation TDR, with the circuit 56 including therein a normally open switch 56b, closed upon deposit of ice cube purchase coin. The switch 56b, disposed in space adjacent to the coin drop slot 15a, and within the panel box 60, extends normally yieldably into the slot 15a, to be urged back therefrom upon drop of a coin 57a, as a quarter, is thus urged to close the circuit 56. Thus the time-delay relay TDR is actuated by this circuit closure to start its relay to run for the predetermined period for which the helix conveyor 34 is to deliver ice cubes. The switch 56b need only be closed substantially instantaneously to start the relay action 56a, and then the relay keeps the switch 55a closed, as aforesaid, for that predetermined period the helix drive motor 50 must run to deliver ice cubes in quantity amounting to a batch, or an approximate precalculated weight, number or volume of cubes. Thus, the closure of the switch 56b only for the time required for the coin 57a to pass by the switch 56b in descent down the coin slot 15a is all that is necessary to set in motion the delivery of a batch of ice cubes.

The aforesaid thermostat, located preferably in ambient temperature area adjacent fins 24 on hopper right lower sideplate 2le, FIG. 2, is designated by reference numeral 58, also in FIG. 4, by additional designation Th, in FIG. 4. Conventional tubes extend therefrom to exert pressure responsive upon increase of temperature actuation, to urge stop plungers 59a, 59b, in respective slots 61a, 61b, communicating with the respective coin drop slots 15a, 15b, into the respective coin drop slots 15a, 15b, thus to bar or interrupt the deposit of the coins, thereby rejecting" them.

Additionally, in FIG. 4, a tube from the thermostat Th, is indicated by dotted line as opening the normally closed switch 54a, in the aforesaid blower motor circuit 54, thus to stop the blower 50 until the ambient temperature drops to some predetermined temperature at which the action of the contracting liquid in the thermostat Th or 58 permits the switch 54a to close. Optionally, as shown by dotted line in FIG. 4, a tube from the thermostat is additionally indicated as extending to the normally closed switch 510 in series with the aforesaid, preferably parallel connected heating elements 25, one indicated on each fin 24 in FIG. 2. In order that there is a lag by the switch 54a, (and by the switch 51a, if included for the above described purpose), after being turned on or off responsive to respective contraction and expansion of the thermostat liquid, conventional contrivance, as toggle action, or any other lag creating means, may be provided. Thus, there is created a range, as in the case of conventional ovens, where heat may be cut 05' when ambient temperature reaches a certain temperature to remain off until the ambient temperature falls to a still lower temperature at which the heat is again turned on. In the instant case the upper temperature limit may be that temperature at which the ice cubes in the hopper 21 receive enough heat to cause additional melting in addition to deterring bridging action, so that the quality of ice cubes delivered may be affected. Thus, as long as the blower motor 50 does not run, as the switch 540 stays open, (also, optionally, the switch 51a), stop plungers 59a, 59b, extend into the respective slots 15a, 15b. With the blower circuit 54, (optionally the fin heater circuit SI), closed, the stop plungers 59a, 59b, are retracted and respective coins 57a, 57b may drop downwardly in the respective slots 15a, 15b.

The wiring diagram or circuitry shown in FIG. 4 is not the only way the apparatus may be wired. As shown in FIG. 4, a single plug 62 may connect circuitry into a source of electrical power. A positive side conductor 620 carries positive current to a distributive conductor 62b from which extend the respective circuits 51-56, inclusive, hereinabove described. Also, a

return distributive conductor 62c carries return, or negative side current, from the respective circuits 51-56, inclusive, to the return conductor 62d into the plug 62.

Considering FIG. 1 in relation to FIG. 2, the adjustment face 58a is shown in the instrumentation panel 15, as indicative of a control cylinder 58b, through which the setting of the thermostat Th or 58 may be made, thereby to control, as aforesaid, the operation of the hot air blower motor 50, (and optionally of the fin heaters 24), to come on and off within a predetermined time range. Also, the adjustment face of a cylinder 56c is shown in FIG. 1 in the instrumentation panel 15, for effecting the setting of the time cycle of the time delay relay TDR or 56a, FIGS. 3 and 4, which determines, as aforesaid, the running or delivery time of the helix drive motor A coin box or receptacle 63 is shown in FIG. 3 for receiving the coins 57a, 57b, deposited in the respective slots 15a, 15b, (FIGS. 1 and 4); also the outer face of the cylindrical coin drawer 63a in which the coins are finally deposited is shown in FIG. 1. The cylindrical drawer 63a is of a conventional type that can be unlocked from its housing 63b, as disposed within the panel box 60, and withdrawn outwardly through the panel 15.

FIG. 5 shows the division plate 26 serving as the bottom of the trough 34 in place of the bottom plate 21 j shown in FIG. 3. In this case the hot air blower duct 49b is indicated in FIG. 5 as having been passed downwardly into the lower compartment of the chassis l1, obviously to be recurved upwardly to discharge into the upper compartment right side, correspondingly as in the case of the duct 4% shown in FIG. 2.

By way of correlation of terminology, the space 17 which may receive a bag 36, or ice bucket, or other receptacle thereinto to receive ice cubes through the spout 19, may be properly termed a bin. Also, the switches 53a and 56b, closed by respective bag purchase and ice cube purchase coin drop, may properly be termed microswitches.

A horizontally extending plate 16b is indicated in FIGS. 2 and 3, inside of the right front plate or panel 140, FIG. 1, thus dividing the space to the right of the compartment wall 17c, FIGS. 2 and 3, into an upper compartment 64 for apparatus as the aforesaid panel box 60, and into a lower compartment 40, as aforesaid, for the carrying and delivery of the bags or receptacles 36. correspondingly a horizontally extending plate 16c is indicated in FIG. 2, inside of the left front plate 14d, FIG. 1, divides the space to the left of the compartment wall 17d, FIG. 2, into an upper compartment 65a, as for tools of incidental storage, and into a lower compartment 65b, as for, say, prepackaged ice cube batches, kept refrigerated for special call purposes.

The compartmentation of the ice cube vending machine is subject to variation and modification within the prospectus of its merchandizing sphere, as a machine of the type hereinabove described as exemplary, can obviously be adapted to vend ice particles, other than ice cubes, and accessory items, as the bags, hereinabove described, and also other items, as items going with the ice cube for further uses.

A preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown which is not presented as limiting the spirit of the invention, while the claims appended are submitted as exemplary.

I claim:

1. In combination with an ice cube making machine, an insulated cabinet supporting the ice cube making machine upon the top thereof, a hopper extending downwardly below the top of said cabinet to receive ice cubes discharged downwardly thereinto from the under side of said ice cube making machine and through an opening provided through the cabinet top, said hopper being spaced rearwardly and inwardly from the respective front and sides of said cabinet with hopper sides sloping downwardly and sidewardly from the top and therebelow downwardly and inwardly to a trough centrally disposed between the sides and comprising the bottom of said hopper at a spaced distance above the bottom of said cabinet, a helix in said trough with shaft rear end journaled centrally at the rear of said trough, a trough portion forwardly of the front of said hopper having the shaft journaled in the trough front end with the shaft forward end having a transmission drivingly connected thereto forwardly of said trough front end and connected to be driven by a motor mounted on said trough portion which provides a discharge therebelow downwardly into an ice cube receiving bin accessible through the front of said cabinet, a timer to control times of motor actuation with a microswitch in the motor timer circuit and a coin slot provided through the cabinet front and disposed whereby a coin inserted therein may close said microswitch for actuation of motor drive of said shaft for helix delivery of ice cubes to fall through said discharge into said bin, means to control the temperature range of the air space around said hopper within said insulated cabinet, whereby the combination of the outwardly sloped upper sides of said hopper permitting the spreading of said ice cubes as they fall, and the control of temperature around the hopper, results in inhibition of the bridging together of adjacently disposed spread ice cubes before and after they arrive at said trough for helix delivery therefrom.

2. The combination as claimed in claim 1 which additionally provides a second coin slot and second microswitch, and bag feed solenoid actuated means operable upon coin drop in said second coin slot to close said second microswitch, to deliver an ice cube receiving bag from a bag feed storage within said cabinet outwardly through a bag delivery slot provided in the front of said cabinet.

3. The combination as claimed in claim 1, in which said means to control temperature range comprises an adjustable thermostat and hot air blower means provided within said cabinet to blow hot air around said hopper upon thermostat actuation.

4. The combination as claimed in claim 1, in which said means to control temperature range comprises radiation fins on the downwardly and inwardly directed hopper portions.

5. The combination as claimed in claim 1, in which said means to control temperature range comprises radiation fins on the downwardly and inwardly directed hopper portions with heating elements on said radiation fins.

6. The combination as claimed in claim 1, in which said means to control temperature range comprises radiation fins on the downwardly and inwardly directed hopper portions to said trough, heating elements on said radiation fins, hot air blower means, and an adjustable thermostat to control said heating elements and the blowing of hot air within said cabinet about said hopper.

7. The combination as claimed in claim 1 which an ultraviolet light is provided within said discharge.

8. The combination as claimed in claim 1 in which said cabinet inner surface top, sides, front, rear and bottom are insulated, in which a horizontally extending, insulated division plate below said trough substantially divides said cabinet into an upper compartment including limited, insulated, thermostat controlled, hot air circulation space above said hopper.

9. The combination as claimed in claim 1 in which said cabinet, on opposite sides of said bin, provides front accessible compartments, including a compartment for the automatic sale and delivery of ice cube receiving bags therefrom.

10. The combination, as claimed in claim 1 which includes in parallel circuitry and apparatus for ice cube sterilization in discharge, means to emanate heat on the downwardly and inwardly extending hopper portions, means selectively operable to feed a bag at a time from said cabinet, thermostat-controlled means selectively to circulate hot air in space between said hopper and the insulated inner surface of said cabinet, circuitry including said aforesaid motor, and circuitry including said aforesaid timer. 

1. In combination with an ice cube making machine, an insulated cabinet supporting the ice cube making machine upon the top thereof, a hopper extending downwardly below the top of said cabinet to receive ice cubes discharged downwardly thereinto from the under side of said ice cube making machine and through an opening provided through the cabinet top, said hopper being spaced rearwardly and inwardly from the respective front and sides of said cabinet with hopper sides sloping downwardly and sidewardly from the top and therebelow downwardly and inwardly to a trough centrally disposed between the sides and comprising the bottom of said hopper at a spaced distance above the bottom of said cabinet, a helix in said trough with shaft rear end journaled centrally at the Rear of said trough, a trough portion forwardly of the front of said hopper having the shaft journaled in the trough front end with the shaft forward end having a transmission drivingly connected thereto forwardly of said trough front end and connected to be driven by a motor mounted on said trough portion which provides a discharge therebelow downwardly into an ice cube receiving bin accessible through the front of said cabinet, a timer to control times of motor actuation with a microswitch in the motor timer circuit and a coin slot provided through the cabinet front and disposed whereby a coin inserted therein may close said microswitch for actuation of motor drive of said shaft for helix delivery of ice cubes to fall through said discharge into said bin, means to control the temperature range of the air space around said hopper within said insulated cabinet, whereby the combination of the outwardly sloped upper sides of said hopper permitting the spreading of said ice cubes as they fall, and the control of temperature around the hopper, results in inhibition of the bridging together of adjacently disposed spread ice cubes before and after they arrive at said trough for helix delivery therefrom.
 2. The combination as claimed in claim 1 which additionally provides a second coin slot and second microswitch, and bag feed solenoid actuated means operable upon coin drop in said second coin slot to close said second microswitch, to deliver an ice cube receiving bag from a bag feed storage within said cabinet outwardly through a bag delivery slot provided in the front of said cabinet.
 3. The combination as claimed in claim 1, in which said means to control temperature range comprises an adjustable thermostat and hot air blower means provided within said cabinet to blow hot air around said hopper upon thermostat actuation.
 4. The combination as claimed in claim 1, in which said means to control temperature range comprises radiation fins on the downwardly and inwardly directed hopper portions.
 5. The combination as claimed in claim 1, in which said means to control temperature range comprises radiation fins on the downwardly and inwardly directed hopper portions with heating elements on said radiation fins.
 6. The combination as claimed in claim 1, in which said means to control temperature range comprises radiation fins on the downwardly and inwardly directed hopper portions to said trough, heating elements on said radiation fins, hot air blower means, and an adjustable thermostat to control said heating elements and the blowing of hot air within said cabinet about said hopper.
 7. The combination as claimed in claim 1 which an ultraviolet light is provided within said discharge.
 8. The combination as claimed in claim 1 in which said cabinet inner surface top, sides, front, rear and bottom are insulated, in which a horizontally extending, insulated division plate below said trough substantially divides said cabinet into an upper compartment including limited, insulated, thermostat controlled, hot air circulation space above said hopper.
 9. The combination as claimed in claim 1 in which said cabinet, on opposite sides of said bin, provides front accessible compartments, including a compartment for the automatic sale and delivery of ice cube receiving bags therefrom.
 10. The combination, as claimed in claim 1 which includes in parallel circuitry and apparatus for ice cube sterilization in discharge, means to emanate heat on the downwardly and inwardly extending hopper portions, means selectively operable to feed a bag at a time from said cabinet, thermostat-controlled means selectively to circulate hot air in space between said hopper and the insulated inner surface of said cabinet, circuitry including said aforesaid motor, and circuitry including said aforesaid timer. 